Kindergarten guidelines and information

Funding and regulations for kindergarten

Kindergarten in Victoria is supported by clear rules and funding from the Department of Education (DE). These rules help make the process simple, fair, and welcoming for all families, and include supports such as Early Start Kindergarten, the Pre‑Prep rollout, and options for children who may need an additional year. 

The Department of Education (DE)

DE sets the rules for how children are registered, how places are allocated, and how councils run the Central Registration and Enrolment Scheme (CRES). These rules help make registration consistent across Victoria.

How Kindergarten Is Funded

The Victorian Government provides funding to help all children attend a high‑quality kindergarten program. Funding goes directly to the kindergarten service to support the cost of running the program. Councils that operate CRES also receive funding to deliver a fair and equitable registration and allocation system.

Free Sessional Kindergarten

Free Sessional Kindergarten gives families 15 hours of kindergarten each week at no (or low) cost, with funding provided directly to services by the Victorian Government. This applies to both sessional and integrated kindergarten programs.

In sessional kindergarten, these 15 hours are commonly delivered in set blocks across the week. Many services offer:

  • 3 sessions of 5 hours, or
  • 2 sessions of 7.5 hours

Session times are set by each kindergarten service or its Early Years Manager (EYM). The Council does not manage kindergarten services or organise group session times.

For information about integrated kindergarten in Early Learning Centres (child care) please go to out Early Years Services page.  

Priority of Access (PoA) for kindergarten

The Department of Education (DE) sets Priority of Access (PoA) rules for all funded kindergarten places. These rules must be applied before any local council criteria. They help make sure children who need kindergarten the most are offered places first.

  • Tier 1 includes children who have the highest level of need or vulnerability and must be offered places before all other applicants.

    Children at risk of abuse or neglect (including Out‑of‑Home Care)

    Children may be prioritised if:

    • they are eligible for Early Start Kindergarten (ESK) or Access to Early Learning.
    • a parent or carer identifies the child as known to, or having had contact with, Child Protection.
    • the parent, carer, or child is experiencing family violence or has had contact with The Orange Door.
    • the child or family has previously accessed Flexible Support Packages.
    • the child or family is referred by:
    • Child Protection.
    • a Maternal and Child Health (MCH) nurse.
    • an Out‑of‑Home Care provider.
    Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children

    Children who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander are prioritised for a kindergarten place.

    Asylum seeker and refugee children

    This includes children where a child, parent, carer or guardian:

    • holds, has held, or is applying for a refugee or asylum seeker visa.
    • holds a current or expired ImmiCard.
    • previously held a refugee or asylum seeker visa and now has Australian citizenship or permanent residency.
    Children and/or families holding concession cards

    Children are prioritised if a child or parent holds:

    • a Commonwealth Health Care Card.
    • a Pensioner Concession Card.
    • a Veterans’ Affairs Card.
    Children from families with multiple births (triplets or more)

    Multiple birth children (triplets or more) receive priority.

    Children with additional needs who require extra assistance to participate

    Children may have priority if they:

    • are eligible for the NDIS or undergoing disability assessment (with evidence from a medical practitioner or specialist).
    • are eligible for ECIS Continuity of Support.
    • have diagnosed disability or developmental delay, or are undergoing diagnosis.
    • have developmental concerns affecting access to kindergarten (supported by MCH nurse or allied health).
    • have complex medical needs affecting participation.
    • hold a Disability Health Care Card.
    • have previously used inclusion support programs (KIS, Commonwealth Inclusion Support, etc.).
    • have been referred by:
      • ECIS Continuity of Support.
      • Preschool Field Officer.
      • MCH nurse or allied health.

    A child may also be prioritised if a parent or carer:

    • is eligible for or undergoing assessment for NDIS.
    • has complex medical needs affecting the family’s ability to access kindergarten.
    • holds a Disability Health Care Card.

    Evidence needed: A letter from a doctor, specialist, or health professional.

    Children approved for an additional year of kindergarten or Pre‑Prep

    Children approved for an additional funded year of:

    • Three‑Year‑Old Kindergarten,
    • Four‑Year‑Old Kindergarten, or
    • Pre‑Prep

    are included in the priority cohort.

  • Tier 2 includes children returning to the same service for their next year of kindergarten, and these applications are considered after Tier 1.

    Children continuing from 3‑year‑old kindergarten into 4‑year‑old kindergarten or Pre‑Prep at the same service will be prioritised to support continuity of learning.

Early Start Kindergarten (ESK)

Early Start Kindergarten (ESK) is available to some children who turn 3 years of age by 30 April in the year they wish to attend. ESK gives eligible children 15 hours of free kindergarten each week, for up to 2 years.

  • Children may be eligible for Early Start Kindergarten if they:

    • identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
    • are from a refugee or asylum seeker background
    • have had contact with Child Protection or family services (including The Orange Door)

    Families with ESK‑eligible children can receive support to register through CRES so their child is given the highest priority for allocation.

    If you are unsure whether your child qualifies for Early Start Kindergarten, please contact us and we can help check their eligibility.

  • Children may also be eligible for ESK if they, or their parent/guardian, hold one of the following refugee or humanitarian visas. These visa types align with DE’s refugee and humanitarian eligibility categories.

    Accepted visas include:

    • Refugee visa (Subclass 200)
    • In‑country Special Humanitarian visa (Subclass 201)
    • Global Special Humanitarian visa (Subclass 202)
    • Emergency Rescue visa (Subclass 203)
    • Woman at Risk visa (Subclass 204)
    • Humanitarian Stay visa (Subclass 449)
    • Temporary Protection visa (Subclass 785)
    • Temporary (Humanitarian Concern) visa (Subclass 786)
    • Safe Haven Enterprise visa (Subclass 790)
    • Protection visa (Subclass 866)
    • Bridging visa linked to any of the above
    • ImmiCard (current or expired)

    If your visa type is not listed here, your child may still be eligible. Please contact us and we can help check.

Pre‑Prep Rollout  

Pre‑Prep is being introduced across Victoria as part of the Department of Education’s Best Start, Best Life reforms. It will replace the traditional 4‑year‑old kindergarten program over time. Councils must follow DE rules to make sure eligible children receive the correct priority and are supported to enrol.

You can find more information about the Best Start, Best Life reforms.

  • Children may be eligible for Pre‑Prep priority if they:

    • identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
    • are from a refugee or asylum seeker background
    • have had contact with Child Protection services
    • were supported by Early Start Kindergarten (ESK) or Access to Early Learning (AEL) in their Three‑Year‑Old Kindergarten year

    If your child is from a refugee or asylum seeker background, or if you are unsure about eligibility, please contact us and we can help check.

    Session times and hours vary between services.  

Additional Year of Funded Kindergarten

Some children may benefit from an extra year of kindergarten. A kindergarten teacher may recommend an additional year when assessments show a child needs more time to build their learning and development skills. Decisions must follow Department of Education (DE) policy and be based on clear evidence from the assessment.

    • An additional year of funded 3‑year‑old, 4‑year‑old or Pre‑Prep kindergarten is considered when a child shows delays in two or more learning and development outcome areas.
    • Educators and families take part in formal discussions to review the child’s progress and needs.
    • A recommendation must be supported by clear evidence, such as assessment information gathered throughout the year.
    • Councils and services must collect the required documentation to align with Department of Education policy.

    If you are new to our system and applying for an additional year, see 
    Applying for an additional funded year (children not in Merri‑bek kinders).

Kindergarten Outreach Support

Council has a Kindergarten Outreach Team that can help you if you need extra support to register for kindergarten. The team helps culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) families, works with Maternal and Child Health (MCH) services, and supports families to complete registrations.

For full details about our support for CALD families, including interpreter help and referral options,  go to Kindergarten Outreach Support.

Before you apply for kindergarten

This section explains what you need to prepare before you register for kindergarten.

What you need for a kindergarten application

To apply for kindergarten, you must:

  • Complete an application for each child.
  • Upload all required supporting documents (see below).
  • Sign the application as the parent or legal guardian.
  • Make sure the names on your documents match your child’s application.

The Kindergarten Central Enrolment Team can only speak with the people listed as contacts in your application.

Important: Submitting an application does not guarantee a place at your preferred kindergarten.

Supporting documents for your kinder application

You will need to upload supporting documents with your application. These documents help us confirm your child’s details and their eligibility. For information about how we collect, store and use your information, please see our Privacy and Information Sharing section. 

  • Attach one of these with your application:

    • Birth certificate
    • Passport
    • Australian Immunisation History Statement
    • Immigration document

  • We ask for proof of the address where you live in Merri‑bek. This means the home you live in (renting or owning), not your visa or residency status in Australia. Please upload one document dated within the last 12 months that shows your current name and address.

    You can upload one of these:

    • Rates notice
    • Property contract of sale
    • Rental lease agreement
    • Utility bill

    Note: A P.O. Box address or a business name will not be accepted.

  • You can upload:

    • A letter from a doctor, specialist, or health professional confirming:
      • a diagnosed disability or developmental delay
      • a developmental assessment in progress
      • eligibility for NDIS or Early Childhood Intervention
      • complex medical needs
    • A Disability Health Care Card
    • A referral from:
      • Maternal and Child Health nurse
      • Allied health
      • Preschool Field Officer

    Parents or carers with a disability or complex medical needs may also qualify.

    Children and families in this category may receive higher priority for kindergarten places.
    Learn more in our Priority of Access section.

  • If your child or family holds one of these cards, upload a copy:

    • Health Care Card
    • Pensioner Concession Card
    • Veteran’s Affairs Card

    Families with these cards may receive higher Priority of Access for kindergarten places.
    Learn more in our Priority of Access section.

  • We ask for these documents so we can understand any safety, custody or communication requirements for your child while they are enrolled. This helps us support your family and follow any legal instructions.

    If there is a:

    • Court order
    • Intervention order
    • Parenting/custody order

    Upload a copy with your application.

  • If you live outside Merri‑bek, you can still apply for kindergarten. Some non‑resident families may receive a higher local priority if they have a connection to Merri‑bek through work, study or childcare. Please upload one document that shows your connection if this applies to you.

    You can show your connection to Merri‑bek with one of these:

    • A letter or invoice from your employer or education provider, or a student card (if you work or study in Merri‑bek)
    • A fee invoice from a childcare centre or school in Merri‑bek (if your child attends there)

    Non‑residents with no connection to Merri‑bek can still apply for kindergarten. They will be considered after all Priority of Access and local priority criteria have been applied.

Immunisation requirements for kindergarten

Before your child can attend kindergarten, you must provide an up‑to‑date Australian Immunisation History Statement to the kindergarten. This is required under Victoria’s No Jab, No Play laws. Kindergartens cannot accept an immunisation book or a letter from your doctor

You can see more information her about the no jab no play legislation. 

  • You can get your child’s Immunisation History Statement by:

    • signing in to your myGov account
    • using the Express Plus Medicare mobile app
    • asking your GP or immunisation provider to print it
    • calling the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) on 1800 653 809
    • visiting a Medicare or Centrelink office

    Families who do not have a Medicare card can ask their immunisation provider to print the statement or call AIR to request one by mail.

    Interpreter support: 131 450

    If you live in Merri-bek you can get help from our Immunisations team.

Age requirements for kindergarten

Children must turn 3 or 4 years old by 30 April in the year they attend kindergarten. This rule applies to all Victorian funded kindergarten programs.

  • Children cannot attend kindergarten sessions before they have turned 3 years old, even if they are registered.
  • Children can receive one funded year of 3‑Year‑Old Kindergarten and one funded year of 4‑Year‑Old Kindergarten or Pre‑Prep, unless an additional year is approved.
  • If your child may need more time at kindergarten, see our Additional Year information section.

If you are unsure when your child should start, you can check using the age calculator.

Is your child born between January and April? (Choosing your start year for kinder)

If your child is born between 1 January and 30 April, you can choose which year they start Three‑Year‑Old Kindergarten. Your child can start in:

  • the year they turn 3, or
  • the year they turn 4

It is important to think about this decision early because the year your child starts 3‑Year‑Old Kindergarten affects the age they will start primary school. Children cannot attend kindergarten before their third birthday, even if they are registered.

If you are unsure which year is best for your child, you can use the age calculator, or speak with your MCH nurse, early childhood educator, or contact the Kindergarten Central Registration team.

Choosing your preferences

You can choose up to 3 kindergarten preferences on your application. Please only choose kindergartens where you would be willing to accept a place.

Please note: Merri‑bek City Council does not manage kindergarten services or organise groups or session times. These are set by each kindergarten or their Early Years Manager (EYM). You may wish to check session times with the kindergarten before choosing your preferences.

  • Use these tools to learn about kindergartens in Merri‑bek:

    • Places at preferred kindergartens are not guaranteed.
    • If we cannot offer your first preference, we will consider your second and third preferences.
    • If all preferred kindergartens are full, your child will be placed on one waiting list.
    • Some kindergartens have more demand than available places. Providing three preferences gives you the best chance of receiving an offer.

Understanding local priority

Your preferences may be influenced by local criteria that help us offer places fairly. These include:

  • siblings who attended the same kindergarten in the last three years
  • proximity, or how close the kindergarten is to your home
  • residents of Merri‑bek
  • non‑residents with a connection to Merri‑bek through work, study or childcare

These local criteria are applied after the Department of Education’s Priority of Access (PoA) rules.

Applying for an additional funded year (children not in Merri‑bek kinders)

This section is for families whose child attends a kindergarten or child care service outside the Merri‑bek Central Registration Scheme, and whose teacher has recommended an additional funded year of 3‑ or 4‑Year‑Old Kindergarten.

  • You are in the right place if:

    • your child attends a child care centre or kindergarten outside the Merri‑bek Central Registration Scheme, and
    • their teacher is conducting assessments and recommending an additional funded year
    • families cannot self‑nominate — it must be teacher‑led and based on formal assessment

    To learn more about eligibility, see Additional Year of Funded Kindergarten



  • When submitting an application for an additional year of funded kindergarten, you will need:

    • a short parent/carer request letter, and
    • a teacher letter recommending an additional funded year. This letter must include: your child’s name & date of birth, teacher’s name & contact details, and the reason for the recommendation
    • any supporting documents, if your child has additional needs

  • Your child’s current service (outside Merri‑bek) is responsible for:

    • Additional Year Statement
    • Additional Year Discussion document
    • Term 3 learning and development plan

    • Declaration of Eligibility (completed in Term 4)

    Important: We cannot make an offer until the Declaration of Eligibility is received.

  • If all preferred kindergartens are full, your child will be placed on a waiting list for one preferred kindergarten.

If you think your child meets this eligibility for an additional year and you want to change to a Merri-bek CRES kindergarten, please contact the Kindergarten Central Enrolment Team for further information.

What happens after I apply for kinder

Your application will be processed within 5 weeks.
You will receive a confirmation email to let you know that Council has received your application.

If there is an error in your email, or if you have not heard from us within 6 weeks, please contact the Kindergarten Central Registration Team.

Important: Submitting an application does not guarantee a kindergarten place.